“writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all” ― Charles Bukowski – SO I HAVE!

I have been struggling with the curse of the scribblers recently, the dreaded Writer’s Block. So I heeded Mr Bukowski’s* advice and am writing about it.

Charles Bukowski

I have come to the conclusion that mine is due to Congestion Block. In a five minute car journey, can think if hundreds of topics, plots and places, that I would like to home in on and write about. Then, as soon as I sit down in front of the keyboard, the big freeze takes over my brain.

http://frompdxwithlove.com/19784/journal/writers-block-sucks/2013/

I have been reading through some of my old, dusty and, mostly, rejected manuscripts recently. Looking for inspiration? Or am I trying to remind myself that I used to churn out a short story a week? And I would achieve that during the course of an evening after work. I have always thought I would rewrite them one day. They maybe 20 years old but the plots are all there and I would be able to incorporate the twist of 20 years experience and savvy to make them work.

When I was starting out I had someone, affectionately known as ‘My Guru’, who offered me unwavering encouragement and advice. She painstakingly ploughed through all my manuscripts, taking notes, then passing on her handwritten comments to me. It was enormously helpful and I have kept all her notes. I am a squirrel at heart. She was the driving force behind my various attempts to get published. Once, when referring to the excellence of Ellis Bell ‘Esq.’**,she laughed and said that at least I didn’t have to disguise myself as man to get my masterpiece published. Well, I confess I have used pen names, because I thought they sounded more sassy than my own, but not a bloke’s name. Writing is not a male domain any more.

Sadly “My Masterpiece” is still a long way off getting published. I need to harness my train of thought. I have to stop my brain flitting and floating. It did give me heart when I read recently that J K Rowling’s original Harry Potter manuscript was rejected by no less than 12 publishers. I bet they are kicking themselves now! I do realise there is chasm of literary prowess between J K Rowling*** and myself which is not just Writer’s Block, but if I could achieve an nth of Ms Rowling’s success, it would make me one very happy blogger.
“I’ve only suffered writer’s block badly once, and that was during the writing of Chamber of Secrets. I had my first burst of publicity about the first book and it paralysed me. I was scared the second book wouldn’t measure up, but I got through it!” (J.K. Rowling. Chat, October 2000)

I guess Writers’s Block, along with getting your head around the rejection letters, just comes with the territory. You will get through it, because you can’t stop thinking about it. So thank you Charles Bukowski, I have just unblocked nearly 500 words. It’s a start.

*Charles Bukowski
Henry Charles Bukowski (born Heinrich Karl Bukowski; August 16, 1920 – March 9, 1994) was a German-born American poet, novelist and short story writer.

Brian Trubshaw – Test Pilot

BRIAN TRUBSHAW was chief test pilot of the British prototype Concorde 002 during its development phase. He was regarded as one of Britain’s most famous names in aviation. As test pilot for Vickers-Armstrongs he test flew the Viscount, the Valiant, the VC10 and Super VC10. He test flew the 1-11 for the British Aircraft Corporation before reaching the pinnacle of his career as Chief Test Pilot for of Concorde. In 1980 he became Director and General Manager of Filton until he retired in 1986, but remained on the board of the Civil Aviation Authority, until his death in 2001.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

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